Means for supporting sliding doors.



PATENTED AUG. 16, 1904.

H. 0.. SMITH. MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SLIDING DOORS.

APPLIOATION TILED OUT. 26 1906.

OWMMJ ZZ/JQQ UNITED STATES Patented August 16, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SLIDING DOORS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 767,667, dated August 16, 1904.

Application filed October 26, 1903. Serial No. 178,614. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY C. SMITH, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Means for Supporting Sliding Doors, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which corresponding letters of reference in the different figures indicate like parts.

My invention relates to means for supporting sliding doors as comprised in the track and the hangers adapted to cooperate therewith; and it consists, primarily, in the manner of constructing the track and the supporting-brackets therefor whereby the hangers may be so constructed as to guard against derailment, while being permitted to freely pass said brackets without obstruction, all of which is hereinafter more particularly described,and definitely pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view of a hanger and track embodying the features of my invention, the track and a portion of the supporting-bracket being in section. Fig. 2

p is aperspective View of a portion of said track,

and Fig. 3 is aview like that shown in Fig.1,

representing a modification of said invention.

In the drawings, a represents my improved track, which is hollow in cross-section and is formed from sheet-steel, so as to provide a longitudinal opening 6, Fig. 2, at the bottom thereof and throughout its length. Said track is preferably so shaped in cross-section that the contour thereof will describe about twothirds of the circumference of a circle, leaving the opening, as stated, at the bottom of the track. From the left-hand edge of said opening is an inturned and upwardly-inclined flange 0, which serves to reinforce and strengthen said track, while aiding in securely attaching the same to the bracket, as hereinafter stated. The bracket (generally designated by e) is attached to the wall or other support in the usual way and is provided with a horizontal arm f, upon the end of which is formed an upwardly-projecting head 9, shaped to fit the inner contour of said track, including the wedged-shaped space between the flange c and the outer portion of the track.

The hanger h is provided with the usual supporting-roller e', grooved to fit the upper contour of said track, while in position to extend beneath the track is preferably formed a guard j, which may be integralwith or attached to the inner face of the frame of said hanger. Said guard is projected upwardly into the wedgeshaped space between the flange o and the head g of the hanger and is so adjusted as to leave ample room for play, while serving as a guard to engage the depending part formed by the flange o and prevent derailment of the wheel 6.

In Fig. 3 I have shown a slight modification of said invention inwhich in lieu of the part 1' there is formed a bracket having an upwardly-projecting arm 70, arranged parallel with the vertical portion of the hanger-frame. Between the part and the frame is interposed a friction-roller Z, adapted to bear against the bottom of the part m of said track should the door be raised while being moved, but preferably so placed as to leave a slight space between the two to provide for possible irregularities in said track.

One of the advantages of my improved track is that while providing for an unobstructed movement of the hanger past the brackets the shape of the hollow track is such, with the opening beneath, as to enable said track to shed rain, thereby preventing the accumulation of water within and the consequent rusting and rapid disintegration of the metal.

I do not confine myself to the exact crosssectional contour of'said track, inasmuch as it is obvious said contour may be changed without departing from the principle involved so long as the longitudinal opening is at the bottom.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1.' In a device forsupporting sliding doors, the improved track for the door-hangers consisting of a tubular structure having a longitudinal opening at the bottom, with an integral reinforcement formed upon that edge of said opening which is adjacent to the hanger, in combination with brackets having laterallyeXtended arms with upwardly-projecting heads arranged to contact with the interior of said track, said reinforcement being arranged to engage guards upon said hangers.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a tubular track having an opening at the bottom, an inwardly and upwardly inclined flange formed upon one edge of said track, brackets having upwardly -extended heads formed to fit the inner contour of said track and hangers having up wardly-projectin g guards adapted to engage said flange.

3. ln adevice of the class described,the combination of a tubular track having an opening at the bottom, an inwardly and upwardly inclined flange formed upon one edge of said HENRY 0. SMITH.

Witnesses:

l). H. FLETCHER, CARRIE E. JORDAN. 

